as in corrupting
to lower in character, dignity, or quality
by insisting that she pay me for helping her, she subverted my noble desire to do a good deed without reward
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Recent Examples of subverting
And her co-stars—Jacob Elordi as a brooding Heathcliff, Alison Oliver as an angelic Isabella Linton, Hong Chau as a steely Nelly Dean, and Shazad Latif as a swaggering Edgar Linton—would also be subverting our expectations.
—
Radhika Seth, Vogue, 10 Jan. 2026
After collaborating with Sotheby’s on a 2024 installation of Impressionism, for which they were tasked with subverting assumptions of the movement, the duo are now conceiving the company’s new restaurant, Marcel, named after the architect.
—Sam Cochran, Architectural Digest, 8 Jan. 2026
So, yes, the Cinderella vibes are strong here, but Bridgerton is best when subverting the fairy tale tropes at its foundation.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Dec. 2025
Advertisement In an action media landscape of dark, twisted dramas, Study Group refuses to take itself too seriously, cleverly subverting many of the genre’s tropes.
—Kayti Burt, Time, 18 Dec. 2025
These committees have a reputation for reportedly denying workers the right to select their own representatives, thus subverting genuine collective dialogue, per the BHRC.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 17 Dec. 2025
The White House strategy makes the unsubstantiated claim that the populations of some European countries want an end to the war, but that their governments are subverting democratic processes and not delivering it.
—Haley Ott, CBS News, 5 Dec. 2025
But Markham has no interest in subverting this feeling.
—Emma Alpern, Vulture, 2 Dec. 2025
All of it—having children because her husband wanted them, putting her career on hold to tend pear trees in a midwestern suburb—might come across as out of character for Smith, who spent her formative years subverting traditional gender roles.
—Amy Weiss-Meyer, The Atlantic, 31 Oct. 2025
Radhika Seth, Vogue, 10 Jan. 2026
After collaborating with Sotheby’s on a 2024 installation of Impressionism, for which they were tasked with subverting assumptions of the movement, the duo are now conceiving the company’s new restaurant, Marcel, named after the architect.
—Sam Cochran, Architectural Digest, 8 Jan. 2026
So, yes, the Cinderella vibes are strong here, but Bridgerton is best when subverting the fairy tale tropes at its foundation.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Dec. 2025
Advertisement In an action media landscape of dark, twisted dramas, Study Group refuses to take itself too seriously, cleverly subverting many of the genre’s tropes.
—Kayti Burt, Time, 18 Dec. 2025
These committees have a reputation for reportedly denying workers the right to select their own representatives, thus subverting genuine collective dialogue, per the BHRC.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 17 Dec. 2025
The White House strategy makes the unsubstantiated claim that the populations of some European countries want an end to the war, but that their governments are subverting democratic processes and not delivering it.
—Haley Ott, CBS News, 5 Dec. 2025
But Markham has no interest in subverting this feeling.
—Emma Alpern, Vulture, 2 Dec. 2025
All of it—having children because her husband wanted them, putting her career on hold to tend pear trees in a midwestern suburb—might come across as out of character for Smith, who spent her formative years subverting traditional gender roles.
—Amy Weiss-Meyer, The Atlantic, 31 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subverting
Verb
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But now, federal prosecutors say Hennen is the fixer behind the biggest point-shaving scandal in history, accused of bribing 39 college players, corrupting 17 programs and fixing — or trying fix — 29 games to enrich himself and other gamblers.—
Andy Sheehan,
CBS News,
26 Jan. 2026
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Blakeney then recruited other players on the team, corrupting the integrity of games, according to the indictment.—
Paulina Dedaj , Ryan Morik , Andrew Fone,
FOXNews.com,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The issue has intensified in recent years and is only set to get worse, as the relentless expansion of urban centres brings artificial light further into the countryside, permeating and degrading our view of the heavens.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
28 Jan. 2026
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These combined factors are degrading the city’s healthcare system.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Ali Safavi, a senior official with the National Council of Resistance of Iran, said the images were aimed less at reassuring the public than at boosting morale among the regime’s weakening security forces.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
2 Feb. 2026
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Skies will be sunny, with winds weakening by the afternoon.—
Anthony Franze,
San Antonio Express-News,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The brand, which was based on changing the status quo and perverting common ideas, was a success and Babenzien learned how to build a business.—
Jean E. Palmieri,
Footwear News,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Modesto Fire Department Firefighters quickly contained and extinguished the fire, preventing it from destroying the home, officials said.—
Richard Ramos,
CBS News,
30 Jan. 2026
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By the way, the last scene of The Conversation has the paranoid Gene Hackman destroying his apartment in a desperate and futile search for listening devices.—
Rose Horowitch,
The Atlantic,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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While cleaning vinegar is prized for its strength, experts sometimes recommend diluting it with water.—
Alexandra Kelly,
Martha Stewart,
25 Jan. 2026
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In a similar lawsuit, Texas Democrats challenged a congressional map drawn by Republicans, arguing that the map likely discriminates against Hispanic and Black Texans by diluting their votes in the upcoming election.—
Noe Padilla,
USA Today,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Cruz was responding to another post from Tehran Bureau, which cited a source inside Iran detailing what was described as a rapidly deteriorating situation on the ground as security forces continued to crack down on demonstrations.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
28 Jan. 2026
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The Plough’s garden furniture is deteriorating, and an antique sign visible in the Cameron-Xi event is absent.—
Brendan Murray,
Bloomberg,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Attorneys for a Utah children's book author accused of poisoning her husband to death are accusing members of the prosecution team of witness intimidation, just weeks before jury selection is set to begin in her high-profile murder trial.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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In the novel, the story instead concludes aboard the Princess Andromeda cruise ship, where Luke is tricked into confessing to poisoning Thalia’s tree, clearing Chiron’s name.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Subverting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subverting. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
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